Parachute container



Feb. 20, 1951 L. L. mvlN 2,542,925

PARACHUTE CONTAINER Filed Oct. 25, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Leslie Z. II'Z'iIZ ATTORNEYS.

' L. L. lRVlN PARACHUTE CONTAINER Feb. 20, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed OCT 23, 1945 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 20, 1951 L. [RVIN 2,542,925

PARACHUTE CONTAINER Filed Oct. 23, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Leslz'el. Irvin I ATTORN EYS.

Feb. 20, 1951 v N 2,542,925

PARACHUTE CONTAINER Filed Oct. 23, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

2; LesJie L. Irvin ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 20, 1951 L, L, .RVIN 2,542,925

PARACHUTE CONTAINER Filed Oct. 25, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

Leslie 1 Irvin ATTORNEYS Fatented Feb. 20, 1951 PARACHUTE CONTAINER Leslie L. Irvin, Letchworth, England, assignor to Irving Air Chute Company. Inc., Bufialo, N. Y.,

a corporation Application October 23, 1945, Serial No. 623,916 In Great Britain October 28, 1944 back type constructed to conform to the shape and contour of the back of the wearer and of a nature to flex readily in all directions to permit the wearer to move about with facility; the pack being of such nature that the parachute may be compacted therein to provide a relatively thin pack and yet conform to the back of the wearer without such projections as would likely catch upon aircraft parts.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a form fitting flexible type of parachute pack having improved means therein for stiffening the pack so as to properly retain the shape thereof when in packed condition yet being very flexibleand conformitive to the body of a wearer.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved single coupling type of parachute harness.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved harness structure which will adapt itself with facility to the body of a wearer. A

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved combination pack and harness of the back type embodying means providing a flexible comfortable pack and a harness which embraces the wearer with safety under all circumstances of use; the same being of the single coupling release type from which the wearer may readily release himself.

A further object of this invention is the pro- 1 vision of an improved comfortable and efficient type of form fitting flexible back parachute pack of the type generally shown in United States Patent 1,882,086; British Patent 351,147 and Canadian Patent 306,100 but embodying improvements thereover in the' specific pack and harness structure associated therewith.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved parachute pack and harness with the latter in closed position.

Figure 2 is a front view of the pack container showing in dotted lines associated harness con- Struction.

9 Claims. (Cl. 244148) Figure 3 is a rear View of the closure side of the pack. 1

Figures 4 and 5 are cross sectional views thru the pack taken substantially on their respective lines shown in Figure 3 of the drawings.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken thru the harness shoulder portions showing an adapter adjustment for the harness.

Figure '7 is a view of the pack with the closures open showing the interior parts of the container and its flaps and the shroud lines associated therewith.

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken thru a side of the pack container show.- ing improved features thereof; the view being taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Figure '7.

Figure 9 is a developed view showing the flexible metal bar reinforcement in the foundation Wall of the pack container.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 are cross sectional views taken substantially on their respective lines .shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

Figure 13 is a cross sectional view taken thru one of the longitudinal reinforcing members of the pack; this view being placed horizontal.

Figure 14 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken thru a portion of the pack and harness substantially on the line [4-44 of Figure 1.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A may generally designate the parachute equipment which may consist of a pack B and a single coupling harness C. 7

Referring to the pack B, the same includes a container D which, so far as the pack feature is concerned, contains essential details of novelty in that thereby the pack is relatively thin and extremely flexible both longitudinally and laterally and of a nature to receive with safety and efiiciency a pilot parachute E which is attached in conventional manner to a main canopy F. The latter has shroud lines G housed within the pack in conventional manner and attached as is usual to the riser webs of the harness. I

- The container D includes a base or foundation wall 20 which consists of inner and outer plies 2! and 22 of flexible fabric between which is located compacted mat-like padding 23 held in position therein by horizontal vertical and diagonal stitch lines indicated variously in the drawings and referred to occasionally by the numeral 25; these stitch lines being shown best as dotted to repre-.- sent stitches in Figures 1, 2 and '7 of the drawings. The base wall 20 is of rectangular shape with the able at the lower end at 91 in a manner well understood in the art, so that the flap 90 may be entirely opened.

It will be apparent from the drawings that the pilot parachute is thus secured within a safety tube or pocket provided entirely by the single flap 10. The latter furnishes also a foundation for the studs which enclose the main flaps. There will be no likelihood of entanglement of the pilot parachute with the main pilot parachute, and the pilot parachute will be thrown clear as the flaps are opened by their conventional elastics, shown at I in the drawings; these elastics being attached at their ends as shown at IOI and I02 to the rear and forward parts of the container; preferably in line with the frame strips 40, M and 42.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the container is entirely flexible. Primarily it is intended for use as a back pack but the features of this invention will readily adapt themselves to any type of pack such as chest pack, lap pack, seat pack, etc.

Referring to the improved harness C, the same has been provided with the thought of safety in mind, and the ability of the wearer to quickly release himself from the harness. In the main it is of the single point coupling release type and includes a main sling portion IIO having a seat strap III within which the wearer sits as in a swing during descent and from which side riser webs H2 and H3 extend along the sides of the wearer and thence to the back where they provide back straps H4 and II5 crossing at H6. They extend upwardly to form suspension lines IIB shown best in Figure 6 of the drawings. I also provide a complementary seat web or strap I which lies in the same plane and may be an integral part of the strap portion III above described. At the ends of the seat portion I20 I provide U-shaped loops I22 and I23 just above the seat or sling of the harness; the loops being connected at I24 to the riser web portions H2 and continuing therefrom in a back strap I26 having an adjusting adapter I21; it of course being understood that the back strap consists of two straps approaching the adapter, at which place the back strap may be adjusted as to length. The loop portions I22 and I23 may be rendered rather stiff by doubling the material of the webbing upon itself and stitching it in such condition as shown in Figure 1. This back strap overlies the lower bar reinforcement 40 in the container and fits across the small of the back of the wearer. It is retained in position upon the container by releasing tabs I30. The riser webs H2 and H3 extend along the sides and intermediate the ends of the base wall of the container and the same are held in properly spaced relation by a strap I stitched at I35 thereto; the ends of the strap I35 being detachably connected against the pack by fasteners I31 upon suitable tabs I38 located upon the outer, surface of the base wall of the container, as shown in Figure 1. Also at their crossing point the straps H4 and H5 are provided with a connecting cross strap I40 having snap fastener connections I4I with suitable tabs I42 provided upon the back wall of the container, as shown in Figures 1 and 10 of the drawings.

Suspension tabs orstraps I and I5I are provided for complementary association with the back straps H4 and H5 respectively; the same being connected thru three bar adapters I60. The suspension webbing H6 is extended thru the passageway IGI between two of the bars and the suspension webbing I50 or I5I, as the case may be, is extended thru the other opening I62 of the three bar adapter. In order to hold the position of the adapter, which lies over the shoulder of the wearer, and to accomplish snug fitting or accurate fitting of the harness upon the wearer, I provide a strap I10 secured at III as to the front suspension strap and therebehind; the same is threaded slidably over the intermediate bar I12 of the adapter and thence extended slidably or adjustably thru an adapter connection I13 upon the inside of the complementary suspension web IIB, which in reality at that point is a back strap, as shown in Figure 6. The strap I10 of course will hold the adapter I60 in proper position so that the suspension webs at the shoulders of the wearer will be retained in proper connection for fitting the harness efii- 'ciently to the stature of the wearer.

As shown in Figure l of the drawings I provide a fixed point quick release coupling G which is well known, as to essential characteristics, in the prior art. I believe this to be the first time that a six point coupling has been used and in the main the same enables the operator to instantly free all the fasteners from the coupling and the ends of the harness will drop loose from the wearer. The coupling G receives detachable fasteners I and I8I at the ends of the front suspension straps I50 and I5| of the harness and it furthermore receives fasteners I82 and I83 adjustable at the ends of leg straps I84 and I85 respectively; the latter being secured at I86 upon the seat straps I I I and I20 and being adapted to extend therefrom thru the loops I 23 and I22 respectively of the harness. These leg straps are provided with suitable adapters I 86 to adjust their length.

I prefer to provide side means for adjusting the harness in enclosing relation upon the wearer. It consists of a cross belt arrangement adapted to lie across the middle of the back of the wearer includin side straps I90 and I BI threaded thru three bar adapters I92 and I93 respectively; these buckles or adapters are secured by tabs I94 attached upon the container by being stitched in the structure thereof at the extreme side margins of the container, as will be hereinafter described. The straps or webs I90 and I9I are threaded thru these adapters in the usual manner so that they can be adjusted but will not too easily slide, and the free ends are then overlapped and held in position upon the pack by the tabs I38-above described, and as shown in Figure 12. The straps I90 and I9I are looped therefrom downwardly and at their free ends are secured at points 200 in the fabric structure of the container. Thus, the straps I90 and I9I provide the loops shown in Figure 1, upon which are threaded fasteners 202 and 203. The latter is permanently connected to the coupling member G but the fastener 202 is releasable therefrom. The coupling may be operated to release the fasteners I80 and I83 inclusive and the fastener 202 and the wearer may drop all of the harness parts from his body and release himself from the entire parachute equipment.

Since the ends of the loops holding the fasteners 202 and 203 are connected directly to the container of the pack, these points of connec tion are reinforced by providin a connecting reinforcing piece 2I0 along the inner side of each flap 50 and 5|, as shown in Figure 7, to which the tab I94 is stitched, the other end of the loop amaze forming strap I98 or I91, as: the case may? be,

being extended and connected as, shown at 200 in Figure 7 with the other end of this connecting and reinforcing strap 210. This arrangement of connecting the harness to. the extreme sides of the pack insures that the latter will. beheld tight or close to the wearers body at all times. I prefer to provide coupling parts I24 upon the side risers of the harness adjacent to the seat for connection of safety straps, a life raft oraseat pack. From the foregoing description of this invention it is apparent that an'improved pack and harness has been'provided which will enable a wearer to sit with ease within the aeroplane without relinquishing any safety factors essential to successful operation of the device should an emergency arise. B 7 "Various changesin'the shape, size and arrangement of parts may bemade to the form of invention'herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope'of the following claims.

I claim: v H 1. A parachute pack container comprising-a base wall having closure flaps attached therewith, and fastening means for'the closure flaps, said base wall comprising a matted fabric stiffened and reinforced structure from side to side and end to end, and a longitudinally flexible reinforced wall and pack shape holdingbinding cordage-like material secured around the marginal edges thereof;

'2. A parachute pack container comprising a base wall having closure flaps attached-therewith, and fastening means for the closure flaps, said base wall comprising a matted fabricstiffshed and reinforced structure from side to side and end to end, a longitudinally flexible'reinforced wall and pack shape holding binding cordage-like materialsecured around the marginal edges thereof, and inherently stiff but springy reinforcing means in said base wall.

3. A parachute pack container including a base wall formed of flexible=-padding reinforced stiffening material, closure flaps'and'releasable fastening means for said closure flaps, and wall and pack shape holding flexible reinforcingbinding cordage secured marginally around the base wall.

4.'In a parachute pack container the (zombi nation of a base wall having closure flaps attached therewith, semi-rigid relatively spaced ,unconnected spring cross members secured in said base wall transversely thereon, and'other like members at an end. of said base wall arranged normal to the first mentioned members.

5. In a parachute back pack container the com.- bination of a base wall having closure flaps and means for fastening the same, and bar reinforcement for said base wall including a plurality of horizontal spring bars in the lower and intermediate portions thereof and vertically positioned spring bars in the upper portion of said base wall.

6. A parachute pack container of unitary construction comprising a base wall formed of fabric inner and outer layers marginally stitched to; gether with relatively thick flexible matting constructed and arranged therebetween. for stiffening and reinforcing said base wall, non-metallic ing and reinforcing said base wall, flexible shape holding means marginally connected upon said basew'all, a plurality of closure flaps marginally connected around said wall having fastening means associated therewith, and inherently stiff reinforcing strips in the back wall between saidfabric layers at locations between the matting extending transversely across said back wall from side to side.

8. A parachute pack container of unitary con struction comprising a base wall formed of fabric inner and outer layers marginally stitched-to"- gether with relatively thick flexible matting constructed and arranged therebetween for stillening and reinforcing said base wall, flexible shapeholding means marginally connected upon said base wall, a plurality of closure flaps marginally connected around said wall having. fastening means associated therewith, inherently stiff reinforcing strips in the back 'wall between said fabric layers at locations between the matting extending transversely across said back wall from side to side, and similarly placed springy REFERENCES CITED I The following references are of record in the file. of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,171,837 Ceeder Feb. 15, 1 916 1,192,479 Van Meter July 25, 1916 1,403,983 Smith Jan. 17, 1922 1,899,668 Campbell -1 Feb. 28, 1933 1,899,713 Nichols -1 Feb. 28, 1933 2,316,896 Smith Apr. 20, 1943 2,318,673 Coleman May 11, 1943 2,448,066 Wilson Aug. 31, 1948 2,463,330 Stretch Mar. 1, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 387,388 Great Britain Feb. 6, 1933 405,693 Great Britain Feb. 12, 1934 7 458,281 Great Britain Dec. 16, 1936 698,671 France Nov. 28, 1930 771,397 France July 23, 1934 805,814 France Feb. 8, 1938 (Addition to No. 48,669) 351,575

Germany Apr. 10, 1922 

